Phillipine’s DSWD Prepositions 3 Million Food Packs Nationwide Ahead of Rainy Season
Manila, The Gulf Observer: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned three million boxes of family food packs (FFPs) in 938 strategically located warehouses across the country in preparation for incoming storms as the rainy season begins.
DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian announced on Friday that the initiative is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to safeguard communities frequently affected by typhoons and other natural disasters.
“The President ordered us to ensure the safety and peace of mind of Filipinos who are regularly impacted by storms and calamities. Under the Buong Bansa Handa (BBH) program, we have a stockpile of three million FFPs to enable swift and efficient disaster response operations,” Gatchalian said in a statement.
The BBH program adopts a whole-of-nation and whole-of-government approach, integrating resources from both the public and private sectors. This strategy enhances the government’s capacity to respond quickly and effectively to natural calamities, ensuring timely aid for affected families and communities.
The announcement comes as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) monitors a low-pressure area (LPA) east of Eastern Visayas. Though the LPA has a low chance of developing into a tropical cyclone, it is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” bringing moderate to heavy rainfall across large parts of the country.
PAGASA has issued warnings for possible flooding and landslides in Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, the Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, Soccsksargen, and the Visayas due to the intensified monsoon and the trough of the LPA.
